The most shocked reaction I’ve heard from a parent to the sight of a tattoo on her daughter’s body is: Would you put a bumper sticker on a Porche? Back in the day, without birth control or any wisdom whatsoever, I shocked my parents in a way just as permanent as a tattoo, by becoming a divorced single mother with two daughters, by age 19. It took years for me to discover the true woman living inside the person my kids just knew as “Mom.” Fortunately, I found her.
According to … you know … Google, in our day there were 89 births per 1000 teen girls and 85% of us were married. Today, that rate is only 13 births per 1000—but 90% of those are births to unmarried mothers. (Not really bad news, since being married to another teenager didn’t work that well anyway.) Admit it—all those young women nowadays with tattoos? They would probably shake their pretty heads in dismay if they heard some of our stories!
I certainly can’t print my most shocking moments OR actions…I love your open mind, Sheila.
So what do you think the fad will be for the next generation.
What?! No comments about going braless? That was my best and bravest shocker for sure.
Joanne
The irony is that each generation finds its unique identity in something that frequently dates back to antiquity. Braless, tattoos, teenage births, sensual dancing, communal living all existed since mankind walked upright. I wonder what is next…
I love this Sheila. I can relate. Thank you.
I always won approval by being the “good girl” and as the oldest was expected to set an example to younger sibs!
When I asked my mom if I could get my ears pierced, she announced “ Only harlots and gypsies pierce their ears!
‘. I had no idea what a Harlot was but it sounded really awful! So I waited until my 12 yr. old granddaughter wanted to get her ears pierced, took her to the store and got my ears pierced first so she would be brave!
I did spend a weekend away with my husband once before we were married but Mom thought I was staying with a girlfriend! It felt so wicked and wonderful!
I call it body art nowadays